PS 

1449 

C45 

D78 

1862 

MAIN 


B    M    IDS    MOO 


/ 


m 


THE 


A  STORY  OF  THE  WAR, 


(I3XT 


the  Yonag  Folks  at  Home 


BY    COUSIN    JOHN. 


WITH    ILLUSTRATIONS    FROM    ORIGINAL    DESIGNS 


PUBLISHED    BY    CROSBY    &    NICHOLS, 

117  WASHINGTON   STREET. 

1862. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1861, 

BY  GEORGE  P.  CARTER, 
In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  District  of  Massachusetts. 


ELECTROTYPED  AT  THE 
BOSTON    STEREOTYPE    FOUNDRY. 


PS/ 


THE    DRUMMER    BOY. 


WHEN  the  first  ball 
O'er  Sumter's  wall 

Announced  the  war  begun, 
Said  honest  Bill, 
With  right  good  will, 

"  If  soldiers  go  —  I'm  one.' 


(3) 


THE    DRUMMER     BOY. 


His  father  said, 

"  My  son,  you'll  dread 
To  be  where  bullets  fly; 

We  need  a  man 

Of  nerve,  who  can 
Do  mighty  deeds,  or  die." 

Said  Bill,  ">Tis  so; 

Yet  I  can  go, 
And  when  the  call  does  come 

For  those  who'll  fight 

For  Freedom's  right, 
I'll  tell  them,  I  will  drum." 

"God  bless  you,  then; 

Such  boys  make  MEN," 
The  father  quick  replied; 

"  Take  drum  in  hand, 

And  through  the  land 
Go  forth  —  your  country's  pride." 


THE     DRUMMER     BOY. 


Now,  Billy,  he 
Had  long  in  glee 

Drummed  as  a  village  boy; 
Yet  never  thought, 
"With  men  who  fought. 

To  find  the  same  employ. 


THE     DRUMMER     BOY. 


"But  now/'  said  he, 

"  I'll  braver  be ; 
111  march  forth  in  the  van; 

And  though  a  youth, 

Will  fight  for  truth, 
And  do  whatever  I  can." 

Soon  every  wall 

Displayed  a  call 
For  those  who'd  shoulder  gun, 

And  march  to  save, 

From  rebel  grave, 
That  which  their  fathers  won. 

"Let  shop  and  field 
Their  brave  men  yield, 

The  Stars  and  Stripes  to  bear, 
And  fight  as  they 
Of  olden  day 

Who  went  with  sword  and  prayer." 


THE     DRUMMER     BOY. 

Not  long  the  call 

Ere  good  men  all 
Sprang  forth  from  vale  and  hill; 

And  with  the  crowd 

Came,  shouting  loud 
For  Union,  honest  Bill ;  — 

Who  said,  "  Pve  come, 

With  my  own  drum, 
To  march  as  one  of  you. 

Put  down  my  name, 

And  quick  proclaim 
Me  drummer  boy,  and  true." 

Now,  to  see  Bill, 

Came  Frank  and  Will, 
And  all  the  lads  in  town : 

John,  Dick,  and  Eob, 

Pete,  Tim,  and  Bob, 
And  every  Smith  and  Brown, — 


THE     DRUMMER     BOY. 


And  pretty  girls 

With  silken  curls, 
With  merry  shout  and  song; 

Till  Bill,  the  pet, 

Was  well  beset 
With  quite  a  friendly  throng. 


THE     DRUMMER     BOY. 


"Hurrah!  hurrah!  " 

Both  near  and  far, 
Was  heard  upon  the  breeze; 

And  people  said, 

As  home  they  sped, 
'  Thank  God  for  boys  like  these.77 

The  village  gave 

Its  good  and  brave  — 
The  hour  to  march  drew  nigh ; 

And  friends  came  near, 

With  hearty  cheer, 
To  bid  them  all  good  by. 

From  voices  strong 
Shouts  loud  and  long 

Woke  valley,  field,  and  hill ; 
While  every  boy 
Made  known  his  joy 

In  shouts  for  drummer  Bill. 


12  THE     DRUMMER     BOY. 

Each  soldier  passed, 
And  when  the  last 

Had  vanished  from  their  sight, 
All  said,  "We  give, 
That  truth  may  live, 

These  brave  ones  to  the  fight/7 

On  Bunker  Hill 
Was  next  seen  Bill, 

And  next  in  Faneuil  Hall; 
Whence,  'mid  huzzas 
And  loud  hurrahs, 

Rolled  on  the  Union  ball. 

On  the  next  day 

Up  famed  Broadway 
The  soldiers  marched,  and  some 

Amid  the  crowd 

Shouted  aloud, 
"  Cheers  for  the  boy  and  drum.'7 


THE     DRUMMER     BOY, 


13 


The  drummer  boy 
Found  full  employ, 

For,  as  he  marched  along, 
His  drum  he'd  tap, 
Then  raise  his  cap 

To  the  admiring  throng. 


THE     DRUMMER     BOY.  15 


And  when  at  last, 
The  marching  past, 

The  people  gathered  round, 
Bill  almost  thought 
He  had  been  brought 

To  some  old  magic  ground. 

In  spacious  hall 

The  soldiers  all 
Were  given  the  best  of  cheer; 

And  old  and  young 

The  praises  sung 
Of  the  Union  volunteer. 

"When  came  the  night, 

The  brilliant  light, 
And  flags,  and  streamers  gay, 

Made  all  things  seem 

A  fairy  dream 
Of  lands  afar  away. 


16  THE     DRUM  HER     BOY. 

Bill's  drum  was  heard, 
And  all  hearts  stirred, 

Their  country's  wish  to  know; 
And  all  declared 
Themselves  prepared 

To  take  a  gun  and  go. 

For  such  a  tone 
Was  seldom  known 

Since  days  of  seventy-six. 
Men  thither  sped, 
And,  laughing,  said, 

"  Put  in,  my  boy,  the  licks." 

And  Bill  did  drum 
Old  "Hail  Colum7,77 

And  "Yankee  Doodle,  doo;7' 
"  Off  for  the  War/7 
And  "Three  Cheers  for 

The  Red,  the  White,  and  Blue.' 


THE     DRUMMER     BOY. 


17 


Till  thousands  came, 

Who'd  heard  his  fame 
In  workshop,  field,  and  mill ; 

And  from  the  crowd 

Rose  voices  loud 
In  shouts  for  drummer  Bill. 


THE    DRUM  HER     BOY.  19 


But  here  no  more; 

To  Baltimore 
Came  word  for  them  to  haste  ; 

Quick  as  the  word 

Their  march  was  heard  — 
No  time  had  they  to  waste. 

The  scene  now  changed; 

On  each  side  ranged, 
Were  crowds  of  men  and  boys 

With  clubs  and  stones; 

With  shouts  and  groans 
They  made  a  hideous  noise. 

But  spite  of  these, 

Upon  the  breeze 
The  Stars  and  Stripes  were  cast; 

And  brave  men  would, 

As  all  men  should, 
Defend  them  to  the  last. 


20  THE     DRUMMER     BOY. 

"Wave,  wave  on  high, 

Flag  of  the  sky!" 
They  shouted,  though  there  rained 

A  shower  of  bricks, 

Of  stones  and  sticks, 
And  half  the  men  were  maimed. 

"  Go  on --go  on  !  " 

And  it  was  done; 
And  maddened  rebels  found 

The  Union  flag 

Would  never  drag 
Its  stars  upon  the  ground,  - 

But  ever  be 

Flag  of  the  free, 
And  banner  of  the  brave ; 

The  ensign  bright 

That  will,  for  Right, 
Our  country's  honor  save. 


THE     DRUMMER     BOY. 


21 


In  dreams  that  night 

Bill  saw  the  fight; 
The  spirits  of  his  sires 

Seemed  near  to  be, 

And  he  could  see 
The  light  of  their  camp  fires ;  - 


THE     DRUMMER     BOY.  23 

Could  hear  report, 

From  field  and  fort, 
Amid  the  din  and  noise,  - 

"First  blow  to-night 

For  God  and  Right! 
Well  done,  my  noble  boys !  " 

Bill  stronger  grew, 

For  well  he  knew 
A  Power  would  with  him  go, 

Each  act  to  bless, 

And  give  success 
To  him  against  the  foe. 

When  weeks  had  passed, 

Bill's  lot  was  cast 
With  twenty  thousand  more, 

Holding  a  field, 

They  ne'er  would  yield, 
On  fair  Potomac's  shore. 


24  THE     DRUMMER     BOY. 

— NG^ — 

The  camp  of  Bill 

Was  on  a  hill 
That  overlooked  the  stream; 

And  he  could  see, 

Far  o'er  the  lea, 
The  soldiers'  bayonets  gleam ;  — 

Hear  footsteps  light, 

At  dead  of  night, 
And  the  sentry's  watchful  call; 

While  far  on  high, 

In  the  peaceful  sky, 
The  moon  watched  over  all. 

Our  hero  went 

The  President 
To  see;  and  said  he'd  come, 

Thinking  he  might 

Cheer  those  who  fight, 
With  the  music  of  his  drum. 


THE     DRUMMER     BOY. 


25 


He  welcome  found 

By  all  around, 
Who  thanked  him  for  the  call ; 

And  drummed  at  noon 

A  patriot  tune 
Within  the  White  House  hall 


THE     DRUMMER     BOY.  27 

When  some  inquired 

Why  he  aspired 
In  such  a  time  to  come, 

And  in  a  cause 

Of  daring  wars. 
He  answered  with  his  drum. 

And  then  they  said, 

"If  we  are  led 
By  men  as  bold  and  brave, 

On  every  hand, 

Throughout  our  land, 
The  Union  flag  will  wave.77 

But  no  delay; 

News  came  that  day, 
"  The  rebel  mob  comes  on, 

With  sword  in  hand, 

With  torch  and  brand, 
To  burn  up  Washington.77 


28  THE     DRUMMER     BOY. 

"Never  !  "  was  said  ; 

"  Sooner  be  dead 
Each  man,  than  they  destroy, 

Or  venture  near, 

What  w^e  hold  dear," 
Thus  spoke  the  drummer  boy : 

"  Flag  of  the  free, 
Wave  thou,  and  be 

Our  ensign  in  the  fight ! 
As  on  we  press, 
Give  thou  success  — 

Our  country,  and  the  right ! " 

"  Now,  pass  the  word, 
'  Take  gun  and  sword  ! '  " 

They  did ;  and  shouted  loud, 
As  o'er  the  hill 
They  saw  our  Bill, 

The  foremost  in  the  crowd. 


THE     D  HUMMER     BOY. 


29 


Ten  thousand  men, 
Through  vale  and  glen, 

Rushed  on  to  meet  the  foe; 
With  watchful  eye, 
And  powder  dry, 

They  struck  a  fearless  blow. 


THE     DRUMMER     BOY.  31 

In  all  the  fight 

Bill  stood  upright; 
A  noble  boy  was  he, 

Who  knew  no  fear, 

Though  very  near 
The  rebels  he  could  see. 

The  whistling  shot 

Flew  o'er  the  spot ; 
The  shell  to  fragments  burst; 

But  when  the  day 

Had  passed  away, 
The  rebels  had  the  worst. 

0,  sad  the  sight, 

That  starry  night, 
Upon  the  battle  field ! 

For  brave  men  fell, 

In  vale  and  dell, 
Who'd  rather  die  than  yield. 


32  THE     DRUMMER     BOY. 

Our  drummer  boy 
Found  full  employ 

In  doing  good  to  all ; 
Bathed  fevered  head, 
And  quickly  sped 

In  answer  to  each  call ;  — 

Till  quiet  reigned, 

And  bruised  and  maimed 

Had  nothing  to  annoy; 
And  every  tongue 
The  praises  sung 

Of  Bill,  the  drummer  boy. 

In  camp  once  more ; 

And  though  a  score 
Of  noble  men  were  slain, 

Each  man  that  night 

Felt  he  could  fight 
With  double  zeal  again. 


THE     DRUMMER     BOY. 


33 


Tip-top  of  hill 
Oft  seen  was  Bill, 

Watching,  with  eager  eye, 
To  catch  one  glance, 
Should  foes  advance 

With  stealthy  footsteps  nigh. 


THE     DRUMMER     BOY.  35 


Should  they  draw  near, 

He  hoped  to  hear 
The  long  drum  roll  resound, 

And  in  the  fight 

Once  more  unite 
With  those  in  battle  found. 

For  was  it  not 

A  glorious  thought, 
That  Freedom's  arms  had  won  ? 

And  all  might  tell 

How  true  and  well 
Great  deeds  for  Right  were  done  ? 

The  tented  field 

Some  sport  did  yield, 
For  after  drill  came  play; 

And  every  man 

Devised  some  plan 
To  drive  dull  care  away. 


36  THE     DRUMMER     BOY. 

Three  months  passed  by  — 

Then  very  nigh 
The  rebels  once  more  pressed ; 

Perfect  in  drill 

Our  men,  and  Bill 
As  perfect  as  the  rest. 

And  there  were  none 

Could  hold  a  gun 
Or  inarch  more  true  than  him ; 

"VVhate'er  he  tried, 

It  was  his  pride 
To  do  it  neat  and  trim. 

The  hour  had  come 
For  work  ;  the  drum 

Of  Bill  was  heard  to  sound  ; 
At  mid  of  night, 
With  footsteps  light, 

They  loft  the  camping  ground. 


THE     DRUMMER     BOY. 


37 


None  heard  their  tread, 

As  on  they  sped, 
And  passed  the  Long  Bridge  o'er ; 

And  ere  the  dawn 

Proclaimed  the  morn, 
They  trod  Virginia's  shore. 


THE    DRUMMER     BOY.  39 


And  nothing  stirred; 

No  sound  was  heard 
Save  the  measured  martial  tread 

Of  the  army  throng, 

As  it  passed  along 
With  the  Union  flag  ahead. 

As  they  drew  nigh 

They  could  espy, 
In  some  odd,  awkward  place, 

A  window  raised, 

While  at  them  gazed 
A  curious,  peering  face. 

While  here  and  there 

Was  seen  to  stare 
A  negro  in  full  grin  ; 

Who  laughed  aloud 

At  the  coming  crowd, 
Wond'ring  how  it  got  in. 


40  THE     DRUMMER     BOY. 


He  gazed  and  gawked, 
Then  slowly  walked, 

And  finding  no  harm  fall, 
He  bolder  grew, 
And  at  them  flew, 

And  thus  spoke  up  to  all  :  — 

"  0,  Lor7  a  mass7, 

I'll  let  yer  pass, 
Ise  not  a  scart  o7  you  ; 

You've  come  to  free 

Sich  ones  as  me  — 
Now  tell  me  what'll  I  do. 

"  Gee  hup,  gee  ho, 

With  you  I'll  go; 
I  tell  yers  Ise  am  some  ; 

Ho,  ho,  -  -  he,  he, 

Mine  eyes!  just  set 
That  small  boy  with  a  drum." 


THE     DRUMMER     BOY. 


41 


The  drum  was  still, 

Yet  drummer  Bill 
Then  waved  it  high  in  air ; 

Pomp  laughed  and  bawled 

So  loud,  he  called 
A  host  of  negroes  there ;  — 


THE     DRUMMER     BOY.  43 

Who  with  them  brought 

Near  every  sort 
Of  weapon,  save  a  gun ; 

And  loud  declared 

They  were  prepared 
To  "  make  dem  rebels  ran." 

So  on  all  went, 

With  good  intent, 
And  when  the  day  was  done, 

Those  who,  till  night, 

Had  fought  for  right, 
Saw  Alexandria  won. 

Then  wild  huzza 

And  loud  hurrah 
Were  borne  upon  the  air, 

To  tell  the  world 

Our  flag  unfurled 
Was  waving  proudly  there. 


44  THE     DRUMMER     BOY. 

"What  in  this  war 
Do  we  fight  for?77 

Our  hero  asked  himself; 
Then  he  could  hear 
A  voice  quite  near, 

"'Tis  not  for  sordid  pelf" 

The  voice  spake  on: 
" God's  will  be  done; 

Do  not  from  duty  shrink; 
The  work  to  do, 
Good  men  and  true, 

Is  greater  than  you  think.77 

"On  banners  write, 
In  words  of  light, 

4  The  cause  of  Freedom  grows ; 
Fetters  shall  fall 
From  each,  and  all 

Be  free  where  this  flag  goes.7  7 


THE     DRUMMER     BOY. 


i  ' 


So  Bill,  that  night, 
On  his  flag  did  write, 

In  letters  all  could  see, 
'Mid  guns  and  swords, 
These  glorious  words : 

"  MANKIND  SHALL  ALL  BE  -FREE." 


YH 


Ill  peace  he  slept; 


He  saw  us  free  bam 

3  ;:     .-;  _-.;.;••     •.  .  _  .: 
Hie  prize,  'twas  brought 
Over  a  thousand 


And  when  he  woke 
And  found  the  joke 
His  duty  'twas  to  bear, 

r  ::   lii-.l   ^.i 
In  every  hour, 
He  knelt  him  down  in 


He  felt  like  those 
Who  saw  oor  Nation's 
And  said,  "We  fight 
For  the  sacred  right 
Of  miiKflnfi  yet  unborn, 


*7 


48  THE     DRUMMER     BOY. 

Armed  with  this  truth, 

Bill,  noble  youth, 
Is  marching  while  you  read ; 

You'll  not  be  slow 

To  bid,  I  know, 
Him  "Onward,  and  God-speed! 

These  simple  rhymes, 

Of  these  great  times, 
May  give  your  heart  a  joy, 

For  now  you  know 

To  war  doth  go 
Your  friend,  the  Drummer  Bov. 


j  me  circuiaTion  aesK  01  any 
University  of  California  Library 

or  to  the 

NORTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 
Bldg.  400,  Richmond  Field  Station 
University  of  California 
Richmond,  CA  94804-4698 

ALL  BOOKS  MAY  BE  RECALLED  AFTER  7  DAYS 

•  2-month  loans  may  be  renewed  by  calling 
(510)642-6753 

•  1-year  loans  may  be  recharged  by  bringing 
books  to  NRLF 

•  Renewals  and  recharges  may  be  made  4 
days  prior  to  due  date. 

DUE  AS  STAMPED  BELOW 

JUL  0  2  1999 


JUL  2  ft  2001 


U.  C.  BERKELEY  LIBRARIES 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


I 


